Article excerpt

RAPIST Ian Fraser McDonald was likely to strike again unless he received treatment, according to a psychiatric report presented to Warwick Crown Court.

The evidence that he was still a danger to the public, and a previous conviction for breaking into a neighbour's home with the intent to rape her, secured the highest possible sentence.

He was jailed for life yesterday after admitting the rape last summer of a disabled woman at the Castel Froma care home in Lillington Road, Leamington, where he worked.

The former patient - paralysed from a road accident in 1992 - cannot speak and was unable to raise the alarm. She cannot be named for legal reasons.

McDonald, aged 34, of Landor Road, Whitnash, will serve at least six years before being considered for parole. He will stay on the sex offenders' register for life and must always keep police informed of his address.

Judge Mr Justice Hughes said: "This is the sentence which must be passed for the protection of the public."

He said McDonald's admission saved the victim's family from the additional stress, anxiety and uncertainty of a trial. But he noted McDonald initially denied any part in the offence.

MacDonald's guilty plea only came after DNA evidence pointed to him, showing there was just a one in 120,000 chance anyone else could have been the rapist.

All male staff at the home in Leamington were tested for DNA. A High Court case was needed to take samples from the victim. These helped trap McDonald, who did not speak during the 40-minute hearing.

The judge said: "This woman was not just vulnerable, she was completely helpless. You were one of the carers entrusted with looking after her in that helpless condition.

"You used her to gratify your own sexual wishes.

"What damage you have done, it will be impossible to tell. She might have known what you were doing but was unable to tell anyone. …